Whom We Admit, What We Deny

Provocative assertions from a famous provocateur…what Alfie Kohn has to say about selective admissions.

“Send us winners and we’ll make winners out of them.”— James Moffett

What does it mean when a school, having rejected a child who applied for admission, explains that he or she just “isn’t a good fit” (or “match”) with the school? In some cases, sure, the phrase would seem appropriate — for example, if there’s a marked discrepancy between the school’s and the family’s religious orientations, or if the school is committed to progressive education while the parents demand grades, quizzes, worksheets, and traditional discipline….